New Chiana-Pio Outdoored

16-03-2011
Narration: The Chiefs and people of Chiana Traditional Area has officially Outdoored a new Chiana Pio , Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam, at a colourful durbar that attracted ministers of state, traditional rulers and opinion leaders as well as heads of decentralized departments among other dignitaries. The event was historically performed amidst drumming and dancing to mark the end of protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area and also mark the beginning of a new area of development. Correspondent Isaac Asare witnessed the occasion and has come through with this report for Radio Ghana.
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Report

Speaking of behalf of his Excellency, Prof J.E.A Mills, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Martin Amidu described the occasion as historic since it has come at time where government is working on modalities to put an end to the numerous intractable chieftaincy disputes in the country ,particularly Northern Ghana. Some of these disputes he said have dragged on for decades and have often resulted in armed conflicts consequently leading to loss of innocent lives and property. Even more disturbing is the fact that the limited resources of the nation which could be channeled into other developmental projects are used to maintain and deploy peacekeepers for the purpose of peace and security. Mr. Amidu however appealed to the new Chiana Pio, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam to use his good offices to restore peace in the area and also exhibit quality leadership by emulating the shinning examples of his immediate predecessor, Pe- Raland Adiali Ayagitam, who worked selflessly to serve not only his people but the nation as well. According to him government recognizes the critical role of chiefs in the realization of its development agenda and will do all within its power to maintain and promote the sanctity of the chieftaincy institution so that the bond of partnership between them would be strengthened to ensure the needed development at all levels. Mr. Amidu on behalf of President Mills seized the opportunity to caution the youth against negativities that has the tendency of plunging the area into chaos and appealed citizens of the area to work collectively in ensuring discipline. He described as alarming the increasing spate of student unrest in some second cycle schools in the region and advised students to use the laid down grievance resolution mechanisms in their schools to seek redress and not resort to violent behaviours, which invariably impact negatively on their academic pursuits. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo on his part commended the kingmakers for reaching an amicable solution in the selection process of the Chiana-Pio and expressed his profound gratitude to the new Chiana-Pio for his election to the throne. He urged the contestants and other chieftaincy factions to eschew actions that could disturb the peace process and the development of the area. Chiefs, manning the various paramouncies in the region were also encouraged to consider eskinning queen mothers as a way of enhancing their activities in the selection of chiefs when necessary. Mr. Woyongo commended some paramountcies for taking steps to eskin queen mothers and urged the rest to follow suit. He later outlined a number of developmental projects earmarked for commencement in the area and called on the chiefs and people to support government in that regard. The 14 sub divisional chiefs of Chiana Traditional Area, later administered the swearing of allegiance of the Chiana-Pio to officially outdoor him as the substantive ruler of the area. The new Chiana Pio, 39 who is based in UK, succeeds his late father, Pe Roland Adiali Ayagitam. In a short Address, the new Chiana-Pio reiterated his people’s call for a model Senior High School to boost education in his area. He also appealed to government to help elevate the only health centre in Chiana to a full fledged hospital to also serve the basic health needs of the people. He was grateful to the President and the government for their support and pledged to work towards the development of his people.